PALMER TOWN COUNCIL
TOWN COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES
Monday, March 8, 2010
Meeting called to order at 7:01 p.m. by Council President Mr Burns
Roll call: Mrs. Barry, Mr Burns, Mr Duda, Mr Duguay, Mr Hebert, Mr Heilman, Mr Magiera, Mr. Remillard, Mr Willams- Present: Mr Streeter, Town Manager.
Consent of the Agenda Order- Item 7a was moved to after visitor’s comments,7j was moved to after 6a, of the agenda. Motion by Mr Hebert; second by Mr Heilman. Vote was 9/0 in favor.
Visitors Comments- None
7a: Recognize Mr Johnson on being named the Mass Conservation Commissioner of the Year
Mr Streeter spoke about Mr Johnson’s accomplishments and gave congratulations. Mr Burns read a proclamation from the council, and presented him with an award from the Massachusetts Conservation Commissioners.
Minutes of Preceding Town Council Meetings, Regular Meeting of Jan,11 2010, Motion to approve by Mr Magiera 2nd by Mr Hebert 9/0 in favor. Special Town Council Meeting of Feb, 3, 2010 Motion to approve with amendments by Mr Magiera, seconded by Mr Duguay, vote was 8/0/1 with Mr Remillard abstaining. Special Town Council Meeting of Feb 8 2010,Motion to accept as amended by Mr Duguay; seconded by Mr Williams. Vote was 7/0/2 to approve, with Mrs. Barry, Mr Remillard, abstaining.
Old Business
6a;Disscussion Item; Fencing for Legion Field
Mr Streeter explained about the issue brought forward to the council in November. About foul balls going into Mr and Mrs. Bussels yard, and how the council was to look into the placing of netting on the backstop. The floor was turned over to Mr Remillard, who conversed on the two different quotes, presented to the council: One to place netting, the other to extend the fence already in place. The recommendation was that the council move forward with the latter due to the issue of maintenance having to put up and take down the netting. Also mentioned by Mr Streeter was that the High School would be splitting the bill.
7j;Resolution 2010-32
It was the council consensus to pass this resolution. Mrs. Barry was concerned that the School Committee might not have this issue on their next agenda So their portion of the bill would not be appropriated in time, causing the project not to be finished in time for the start of the baseball season. She made a Motion to amend the resolution to transfer $8,000 dollars, instead of the original $3,184, from the FY09 account #011342.57400 to account #014906.52622. Mr Duda seconded motion. Vote was by 9/0 in favor.
New Business.
7b] Discussion Item; Voting Precincts 2&3
Mrs. Barry brought the issue of voting in the middle school as a safety concern, due to being approached by others on this matter. This matter was discussed between the Town Council and the Town Clerk about possible alternative locations to conduct elections. No definitive places were identified. The town manager suggested that he and Mrs. Donovan meet with the School Committee to see what their issues are and if any solution could be resolved.
6b;Discussion Item; Recreation Director
Mr Streeter started by explaining that this item was put off so other councilors that were absent from last's months' meeting could interject on the job description. Mrs. Barry thought it was to broad of a job description, and should be more generalized to avoid the “not my job syndrome.” Also she expressed her concerns of not knowing what the budget was looking like if maybe for the time being to put this off until a better picture of the budget was presented. Mr Magiera spoke to the effect of this is over due and we need to stop using the budget as a crutch. Mr Duguay, Mr Hebert and Mr Heilman agreed. Mr Burns gave his ideas on what to keep in the job description. Also echoing about how this is in the Charter and the Charter Commision decided to keep it as part of it. But also sees Mrs. Barry point. Mr Williams gave some input
how to raise money for the position. Mr Streeter will tweak the document and get back to the Council next month.
7c;Resolution 2010-25 Transfer Funds to Memorial Hall Moving expense account
Questions about the snow removal and Verizon bill were raised Mr Streeter explained the church already had a contractor that did the plowing. The Verizon bill was only $412.80 for the move, not the $2,213.54. Mr Magiera made motion; seconded by Mr Williams. Vote was 8/1/0 in favor (Mrs. Barry opposed).
7d; Resolution 2010-26 Amend Town Council Rules& Procedures
Mr Burns informed council about proposed changes. Motion to approve by Mrs. Barry; seconded by Mr Duguay. Vote was 9/0 in favor
7e; Resolution 2010-27 Transfer funds from Excess Overlay to General Insurance Account
Mr Streeter explained the reasons for transfer Motion to accept by Mr Magiera and seconded by Mr Williams. Vote was 9/0 in favor.
7f thru 7j Resolution's 2010-28,29,30,31 FY11 Salary's for all elected boards
Mr Burns tabled these items until some budget information was available. Mrs. Barry made a motion to have Mr Streeter get back to us about rescinding ordinance 2007-01 that requires the council set these salaries at their March meeting. Mr Remillard seconded the motion. Vote was 9/0 in favor.
At 8:10 Mr Magiera left the meeting.
7k;Discussion Green Communities Act
Mr Streeter and Mr Hebert explained which requirement to be eligible to become a green community still needed to be met by the town. The Council expressed their concerns and the need for more information, before they would be willing to commit to this.
7i Discussion Item FY2011 Budget
Mr Streeter presented his FY 11 budget estimates, Mr Duguay spoke to council what he thought was the council’s role in the budget formation. Discussion, between he and Mr Burns about the role took place with Mrs. Barry interjecting. Further questions about the budget itself were asked by Councilors. Mr Streeter informed council by the end of March, he would be able to have a budget with more solid numbers.
Sub- Committee Report
Mr Duguay told council he would have a report by May on the appointed Charter Review Committee findings and he would be working with Mr Burns on how to go forward.
Town Manager's Report
Mr Streeter reported the Council's request to place the Charter question on Novembers ballet was moving as planned and we should have an answer soon.
As requested by the Council to be keep abreast about Snow and Ice deficit; right now deficit is at $184.632.06. Hopefully this will hold us thru the season. Also as the Council move forward with hiring a recording secretary, the manager asked he might want to consider having whoever the council hires possibly record minutes for other boards as well. Mrs. Watson left her position with the town and she was in charge of taking minutes for several boards including the Planning Board, Conservation Commission, ZBA and PRA; and now the committees need someone to handle these duties.
Councilor's Round Table
Mr Remillard congratulated the girls team on becoming the Western Mass Champs and questioned about being able to put up sign's for the girls and boys team at the Turnpike entrance. Mr Burns told him he was all set to do so.
Mr Duda spoke on Pathfinder Robotics Team’s success at last week's competition and thanked all the volunteers and MPact for helping to make this event a success. Also if anyone would like to make donation's to help the team to compete in Georgia, please call Pathfinder. Thank you to the 9 people on the Charter Review Committee for all their work.
Mr Heilman congratulations to the girl team good luck in the semi finals.
Mr Duguay wanted to thank everyone involved and the support received after the fire in Three Rivers of his stepdaughter’s home and congratulations to the girls basketball team
Mr Willams congratulations to the girl team
Mr Hebert congratulation to Pathfinder High on their 2nd place finish at the FFA competition at Smith Voc and to his son as a freshman placing 3rd over all students
Mrs. Barry: The Mill design competition displays are now up at the Palmer Library. Also she would like to set up a date for the Councilors to tour the schools.
Mr Burns again congratulations to the girls team’s 23-0 record; and wished good luck to Pathfinder Robotics team in Atlanta, and gave thanks to the Charter Commission for their hard work to reach an end product that the whole group agreed upon to send to the voters.
Mr Burns entertained a motion to go to Executive session and adjourn there from. Mr Duguay made the motion; seconded by Mr Williams. Roll call vote was called and all present individually voted yes 8/0. (Mr Magiera absent) This portion of meeting closed at 8:55pm to go into executive session.
Respectfully submitted by Philip J Hebert/Council Clerk
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